Two lawyers join prosecution
Stabroek News
October 8, 2002
The fourth witness for the state took the stand yesterday and two lawyers were added to the prosecution side, when the Preliminary Inquiry into the charges of treason against Phillip Bynoe and Mark Benschop continued.
Police Corporal #0531 Ewart Bowen, stationed at the Beterverwagting Police Station, where he is the subordinate officer in charge, delivered his testimony and underwent a short cross-examination by the defence.
Meanwhile, Special Prosecutor for the DPP, Sanjeev Datadin, has been joined by attorneys Darshan Ramdhani and Anil Mohabir Nandalall. While the men were without the necessary fiats they assured that these would be served upon the defence and the magistrate shortly.
Yesterday, Benschop alleged that he was threatened and assaulted last Wednesday in the Georgetown Prison by members of the police force. He told the magistrate that he was taken to the Brickdam Police Station where he was threatened by several members of the force, who pointed their weapons as they asked him "where the f... is Phillip Bynoe?" Benschop further said he was returned to the prison where he was physically harassed by the same officers who `juked' his ribs, hit him in his head, his left hand and his left leg. Afterwards he said they dragged him up the prisoners' steps and left him in the prison reception area. Asked by the magistrate whether he knew the names of any of the officers he said he only knew one, by his surname, "Holder."
There was also another call by the defence for the magistrate to discharge the matter since yesterday was set as the peremptory date if no evidence was brought against Benschop. Lead Counsel for the defence, Basil Williams argued that Bowen's testimony in no way amounted to evidence related to Benschop but rather to Bynoe and therefore, as he had indicated last Wednesday, he should consider the discharge of Benschop. The magistrate, however, said the charge was a joint one and therefore it would be expected that evidence would be brought against Bynoe.
The inquiry is to continue today.